We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Antoinette Garland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Antoinette below.
Antoinette, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
At the end of October 2014, I landed a job with a major airline working in HR Services. During this period of holding this position, I felt secure in my employment, I felt seen, and I felt appreciated. I knew this opportunity would be life-changing at this point in my life. Navigating this new world, at this same time, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer: the highs and lows.
Of course, hearing this news threw my family into a position we never imagined being in. We knew the outcome of his fate, but of course, you will try in all your power to change it. We had a great support system where extended help and information were offered. Along with his medical treatment, my best friend’s mom told me about an herbalist in Chicago, China Town. I convinced my mom we should take my father. The hard part was convincing my father, and after a bit of back and forth, he gave in.
Visiting this Herbal Doctor who gave my father an assessment and wrote out the herbal remedies in her native language (Chinese). I watched her medical staff pull different herbs, mix them on top of a white sheet of paper, fold the paper up, and pack the herbs gave us the instructions on how to brew the tea and how much daily he should drink as a diet change. While working this new job and being a caregiver, I was doing my research on herbalism. Looking at YouTube videos of herbalists, reading articles, and even googling. On December 31, 2015, my father passed away. The medical team gave him three months to live after his diagnosis in October 2014. To this day, if we didn’t take that risk in seeing the Herbal Doctor in China town, my father would’ve passed away in the three months his medical team told us.
Moving through life after a hard blow, I would still maintain my employment. Sitting at my desk, I randomly came up with the name Cosmic Creole. After my father passed away, I embarked on my spiritual path. I did a lot of traveling and just wanted to experience this thing called life. I started working out and eating better, doing yoga, and meditating. I didn’t incorporate herbs into my lifestyle then, not knowing I’ll be reintroduced to herbalism again a couple of years later. I always had menstrual issues, but this time, it was severe. I went to a medical university in 2019 for help and fell short. I didn’t want to be on any birth control anymore. I was in my early/mid-30s.
I’ve always suffered from menstrual issues since the day I started, and that was always their solution, and I wanted the problem to end. One night over drinks, I had a conversation with a close friend, and she had her issues, and maybe a couple of days later, she sent me bags of herbs. Herbalism was at the forefront again. I started drinking the herbs as teas; some herbs are smokable. For the first time with lifestyle changing, I had a regular cycle. This time I took it a step further. 2020 was life-changing for the whole world. I talked with my best friend and sister about this herbal path, and they both told me about this online herbal school. I enrolled.
I took the time while working from home to learn about herbs to get a deeper understanding. Covid – 19 hit hard. I gave herbal blends to help those who felt ill and those who suffered from anxiety due to the pandemic. Of course, life paused me in my training, and the online course was at your own pace, which worked out—never losing sight, I picked back up learning about herbs in 2021. Around this time, I had people coming to me for herbs and information about herbs. Then my employer informed me they were changing the department and making cuts. After holding this position for seven years, I was let go. Another hard blow was because my employment was my security blanket. I applied for a job within no luck. I applied at the Medical Center, where my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, to work in their HR Service department. They offered me the position, but something deep down in me wanted to pursue herbalism. I knew if I took the job, looking for financial stability, I would’ve been able to give this my all. I did a lot of crying and convincing myself and others. My mother told me to follow my heart.
A week before my start date, I emailed to rescind my acceptance. I took the risk to pursue Cosmic Creole. I invested my money to create and give birth to what I have now. Now my business is a part of the small business program where I have a suite in a storefront—a small but steady flow of clients. Two major news channels in Chicago have interviewed me regarding my small business. Now a magazine article. Taking a risk when you feel everything is crumbling can be the best thing because you’ll never know where it will lead you. My family and I took a risk with my father’s health, and he lived longer than the three months he was given. I took a risk with my business vision, and I have had positive outcomes so far. This is just the beginning for Cosmic Creole
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Antoinette Garland, and I’m a clinical herbalist. Cosmic Creole is a Holistic Health Service aiding the mind, body, and spirit. I use natural herbs and CBD for those suffering from mental, physical, and spiritual pain. I’ve created 13 tinctures that target anxiety, depression, hypertension, and more. I listen closely to my clients to pinpoint the issue’s root and guide them to which herbs are best for them. I want potential clients to know that I’m here to listen. We live in a time where so many people are suffering in silence because they don’t trust, don’t know where to start, or are looking for something outside conventional medicine. Cosmic Creole is here to start that path with them.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Being empathic is a vast component of working in holistic care. Some of my clients express feelings of needing to be heard regarding their body/mind or listened to regarding the type of treatment they want to receive. My natural empathy gives my clients the comfort they seek when dealing with a delicate situation.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
Buying herbs and materials, you need to bottle/package the herbs can become a little costly. I used the severance I received from my former employer to start my business. When creating this business, I was not going to take out a business loan. I’m currently in the process of applying for grants. I’m also a part of the community entrepreneur program at FarSouth CDC, which places me in a marketplace and helps with resources for my herbal business.
Contact Info:
- Website: cosmiccreole.com
- Instagram: @cosmiccreole
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cosmic-Creole/100064875309597/
- Other: https://farsouthcdc.org/marketplace
Image Credits
Renette Renèe Design & Photography